A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Chinelo Ugwu, has cautioned parents and teachers against using derogatory labels for children, saying such expressions could undermine their confidence and affect their development.
Ugwu, who is the founder of Gilt Counselling Consult, also called for stronger parental education and community-based counselling programmes to address behavioural challenges among teenagers and young people.
She spoke during an interview in Port Harcourt at an event marking the organisation’s first anniversary.
The professor said expressions such as “coconut head” and “never-do-well,” particularly when directed at children experiencing academic difficulties, could leave them with a negative perception of their abilities.
She explained that children learn at different paces and should receive encouragement and support suited to their individual needs rather than be judged solely by their academic performance.
According to her, adolescence is a sensitive stage during which young people contend with questions of identity, self-esteem, social expectations and the transition to adulthood.
Ugwu said inadequate guidance during this period could contribute to emotional distress and behavioural difficulties, affecting young people’s personal and academic development.
She, however, cautioned against blaming parents alone for every instance of misconduct, noting that some caregivers lack the knowledge and skills needed to respond to their children’s emotional and developmental needs.
The lecturer urged government agencies to support counsellors in organising parental education programmes in communities, churches and other social institutions.
She said the programmes could help parents understand child development, communicate effectively, provide appropriate discipline and recognise when professional support is needed.
Ugwu also called for cooperation among families, teachers, religious leaders and community members, stressing that guiding young people requires shared responsibility.
She said her decision to establish Gilt Counselling Consult followed nearly four decades of experience in education and concern that many young people were unable to realise their potential because of limited guidance and inadequate support.
The organisation, established on October 22, 2025, focuses on helping teenagers and young people understand themselves, recognise their potential and manage challenges that could affect their future.
Ugwu said feedback from its school outreach programmes and boot camps had been encouraging, with some parents and teachers reporting improvements in participants’ behaviour.
She appealed for greater government support for counselling initiatives and increased public awareness of the role of professional guidance in schools and communities.
